재활승마의 치료적 효과

In this study, we reviewed the therapeutic effects of horseback riding on the various diseases. In general, the movement of the horse has been used to alleviate physical and mental impairments of the clients. The therapeutic horse is one of the most warm, flexible, and responsive animals for humans. Its walking has similar physiological mechanism as the human walking. Adjusting of rider's body to horse's walking rhythm through striving to maintain balance causes alternative contraction and relaxation of the muscles, particularly in the trunk, spine, hip, and pelvis. The most important effect of therapeutic horseback riding is its' strong driving action on motivation for the mental and physical achievements. From many studies, therapeutic horseback riding showed effectiveness on the neuromuscular diseases, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, and attention deficit disorders. Moreover, horse riding therapy ameliorates cognitive dysfunction, mediates emothonal unbalance, and also enhances the socialization. Studies on the efficacies of therapeutic horseback riding can open new horizon of the therapeutic programs for the cureless diseases.